Valley romp to emphatic win on return to Division 4 East

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Published:21:16Monday 04 September 2017

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Hope Valley 1sts started the new season in style as they marked their return to Division 4 East with an 81-7 home win over Sockport 3rds.

Led by Matt Keeley in the injury-enforced absence of club captain Ben Somerton, Valley’s preparations were further hampered when fly half Dave Ryder was injured in the pre-match warm-up and John Eyre went off after a nasty cut.

From the disputed penalty from that incident, Stockport scored a converted try.

Jake Oldridge’s quick-thinking from a tap penalty saw him cross for an unconverted score and Matt Keeley’s powerful run led to a second.

The lead was soon extended with further tries from Kristian Williams, George Hallam and Gethin Evans. Two conversions from Jake Oldridge led to a half-time 29-7 advantage.

In the second half Jake Boak was the first to score. Hallam and Keeley added their second tries, Oldridge completed a hat-trick and Rory Williams and Steve Rawson scored. Aaron Handley also went over on his debut.